The European Union brings together international and local partners to improve air quality and safeguard public health across Georgia. With EUR 4 million in EU funding, the four-year initiative builds on cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), and the Environment Agency Austria (UBA).
The 2023 IQAir Index ranks Georgia 62nd out of 134 countries in terms of air pollution, with an average national pollution level considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ This indicates that the annual average of fine particles in Georgia’s air, PM2.5, exceeds the World Health Organization’s air quality guideline by at least three times.
The ambitious goals set for completion by the end of 2027 include strengthening Georgia’s air quality surveillance network and enhancing national capacities in monitoring, modelling, and predicting air quality, along with its impact on public health. Furthermore, the project will assist Georgia in establishing a national reference laboratory and implementing efficient strategies to regulate industrial emissions and mitigate pollution in alignment with Best Available Techniques and international practice.
The project will be carried out in cooperation with the National Environment Agency (NEA), the National Centre for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, fostering dialogue, sharing expertise, and implementing practical measures.
The project participants and stakeholders convened on 19 April for an inception workshop to kickstart discussions on the implementation of this vital initiative.
“By joining forces with our European and UN partners, Georgia will implement effective solutions that will lead to tangible improvements in air quality across the country,” said Nino Tandilashvili, First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
“The European Union supports Georgia in achieving its national environmental objectives and responding to environmental challenges, including the critical issue of air pollution,” said Nicholas Cendrowicz, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia. “Our new initiative brings together governmental agencies and international partners to bolster Georgia’s air monitoring network and implement tools to improve air quality and protect people’s health. This will be important on Georgia’s journey to the EU.”
“This partnership marks a significant step towards addressing the pressing issue of air pollution in Georgia. We aim to ensure cleaner air for all and safeguard the health and well-being of Georgian citizens,” noted Sabine Machl, UN Resident Coordinator in Georgia.
“Our new initiative provides Georgia with technical expertise and focused support to enhance air quality,” said Douglas Webb, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Georgia. “By bringing together international partners and local stakeholders across public, private, and civic sectors, we aim to create a comprehensive system addressing environmental, economic, social, and health aspects of air quality in Georgia.”
About the ‘Air Quality for Better Citizen Health’ Project
The EU-funded EUR 4 million project ‘Air Quality for Better Citizen’s Health’ aims to improve air quality in Georgia and safeguard people’s health. The initiative is implemented by UNDP, WHO, UNECE, and UBA, in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC), and the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. More information about the project is available on the UNDP website.
About the European Union:
For over 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation, and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, and inclusive economic growth. More information about the EU’s support in Georgia can be found at the EU4Georgia website.
